Argentina suffer 6-1 loss to Spain ahead of World Cup

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March 27, 2018

Nicolas Otamendi Argentina 6-1 loss Spain

Argentina suffered a humiliating 6-1 loss to Spain as Lionel MESSI sat in attendance.

When Jorge SAMPAOLI’s men took to the pitch on Tuesday night in Madrid, no one expected them to lose by five goals. The match started off with Gonzalo HIGUAIN missing a goal scoring opportunity early in the first half. Moments later (in the 11th minute to be precise), Spain opened the scoring through a Diego COSTA goal. Goalkeeper Sergio ROMERO was injured on the goal and had to be substituted off just minutes later as Willy CABALLERO received his second cap. In many ways, he may wished he never got that opportunity.

ISCO scored Spain’s second of the night, despite Argentina actually performing well. Nicolas OTAMENDI scored Argentina’s only goal of the match, a header right before half time to bring the Albiceleste back in the game. The second half was all downhill for Jorge SAMPAOLI and the team as one of the favorites to lift the World Cup trophy in Russia scored four more goals.

Captain Lionel MESSI was in attendance with the injured Manuel LANZINI next to him as the two sat to watch the match. MESSI appeared to leave after Spain scored their sixth goal of the match.

Here were the substitutes which were made for Argentina during the match:

Cristian PAVON for Javier MASCHERANO
Lautaro MARTINEZ for Gonzalo HIGUAIN
Pablo PEREZ for Ever BANEGA
Gabriel MERCADO for Fabricio BUSTOS
Marcos ACUNA for Giovani LO CELSO

Argentina’s 6-1 loss vs. Spain – Match Highlights

Many, if not all, were excited to see Racing Club man Lautaro MARTINEZ make his Argentina debut and while it was a memorable one for him, it was memorable for all the wrong reasons. The loss comes as the last match for Argentina before May where they are expected to play a game in Argentina prior to play Israel in June before the World Cup.

Confirmed Argentina eleven against Spain – Match Thread

By

Roy Nemer

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March 27, 2018

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The Argentina eleven is confirmed and there’s no Lionel MESSI in the starting line-up or as a substitute.

Four names are missing from the Argentina team as they get ready to take the pitch against Spain. Lionel MESSI, Sergio AGUERO, Angel DI MARIA and Manuel LANZINI all miss out on the match tonight in Madrid. With that said, here’s the starting line-up:

Argentina confirmed eleven:

ROMERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, ROJO, TAGLAIFICO; BIGLIA, MASCHERANO; LO CELSO, BANEGA, MEZA; HIGUAIN

Argentina's eleven confirmed vs. Spain — Argentina’s eleven vs. Spain

Argentina substitutes:

Nahuel GUZMAN
Willy CABALLERO
Gabriel MERCADO
Federico FAZIO
Leandro PAREDES
Marcos ACUNA
Enzo PEREZ
Cristian PAVON
Lautaro MARTINEZ
Diego PEROTTI
Ramiro FUNES MORI
Angel CORREA

Lionel MESSI out against Spain, new line-up for Argentina

By

Roy Nemer

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March 27, 2018

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Lionel MESSI is out for Argentina’s match against Spain while there’s the rumored line-up.

The Argentina captain will not be risked, despite his desire of wanting to play. Jorge SAMPAOLI will not risk him and will instead give the captain a rest. Instead, his former FC Barcelona team mate Javier MASCHERANO will wear the armband tonight, just as he did when the two teams met last time around in 2010 in Argentina’s 4-1 victory in Buenos Aires as well as in their 2-1 loss to Spain in 2009 in Madrid. Here’s the rumored line-up which Jorge SAMPAOLI will reportedly go with:

Argentina probably line-up vs. Spain

ROMERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, ROJO, TAGLIAFICO; MEZA, MASCHERANO, BIGLIA, LO CELSO; BANEGA; HIGUAIN

It’s rumored to be a 4-4-1-1 with Ever BANEGA playing behind the front man Gonzalo HIGUAIN who will look to find the back of the net for Argentina this time around. Giovano LO CELSO would start for a second consecutive match while Lucas BIGLIA refinds his 2014 World Cup final buddy Javier MASCHERANO. Maxi MEZA will get his first cap for his country as he’ll start in midfield with the two veterans alongside him. As we reported yesterday, SAMPAOLI will opt with Marcos ROJO instead of Federico FAZIO as the Manchester United man plays his first match for his country since coming back from injury.

In the full back position remains Fabricio BUSTOS and Nicolas TAGLIAFICO as Manchester City man Nicolas OTAMENDI completed the back four with club rival Sergio ROMERO as the goalkeeper.

Argentina eleven from training, MESSI, BANEGA in

By

Roy Nemer

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March 26, 2018

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Argentina’s latest eleven from training included Lionel MESSI and Ever BANEGA.

Jorge SAMPAOLI held a training session behind closed doors on Monday afternoon in Madrid. After speaking with Fox Sports and stating that he’s hopeful of playing on Tuesday, Lionel MESSI appears to be getting his wish granted as he was part of the team which trained on Monday. Here were the eleven players:

ROMERO; BUSTOS, OTAMENDI, ROJO, TAGLIAFICO; MASCHERANO, BANEGA; MEZA, MESSI, LO CELSO; HIGUAIN

Five players who started the 2-0 win against Italy would once more be in the starting line-up, that is to say Fabricio BUSTOS, Nicolas OTAMENDI, Nicolas TAGLIAFICO, Giovani LO CELSO and Gonzalo HIGUAIN. Ever BANEGA who came on as a substitute and scored against Italy would also start.

Sergio ROMERO would regain his starting position in between the goal posts while full backs Fabricio BUSTOS and Nicolas TAGLIAFICO get a second consecutive run out. It could be that SAMPAOLI is looking to see if they can both cement their spots in Russia. Marcos ROJO gets a rare start in the center of the back line as the Manchester United man is usually deployed as a left back. He would start alongside Nicolas OTAMENDI.

In midfield., Javier MASCHERANO comes in place for Lucas BIGLIA as the veteran is included in the eleven. Ever BANEGA who impressed after coming on against Italy gets the start. MEZA would receive his first ever cap for his country and what opposition and what an opportunity it is for him to impress the boss. Lionel MESSI needs no introduction as he is likely to play only 45 minutes. Giovano LO CELSO gets a second run out while Gonzalo HIGUAIN gets the nod ahead of Lautaro MARTINEZ.

While this line-up is not confirmed, it is the eleven which trained on Monday afternoon and bar any possibly small changes (should MESSI not start), this looks to be the starting eleven who will play in Madrid.

Lionel MESSI: “My idea is to play against Spain”

By

Roy Nemer

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March 26, 2018

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Argentina captain Lionel MESSI wants to play on Tuesday against Spain.

After having missed out on Argentina’s 2-0 win against Italy on Friday, Lionel MESSI has stated that he would like to play against Spain on Tuesday. Speaking with Fox Sports Argentina, here’s what MESSI had to say:

Lionel MESSI on Fox Sports Argentina

“My idea is to play vs. Spain, there’s only missing the last training session to see how I’ll be. I wanted to play against Italy but yesterday (Sunday) I trained normally, I felt good and hope to play.”

There were rumors on Sunday that should MESSI play on Tuesday, he would only play 45 minutes (media reports had mentioned him only playing in the second half). Per the tests which were done on Sunday, MESSI showed no sign of injury but did show some potential risks which could occur.

TNT Sports claims that Lionel will play from the start on Tuesday but that has yet to have been confirmed by anyone from the coaching staff publicly. It remains to be seen whether he’ll end up playing and if he does, how long he would play for against Spain. However, the decision seems to be with MESSI himself, more than anyone.